The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of sediment yields and sediment transfer processes in the Brazilian Amazon basin during the period 1998-2003. For this purpose, the HyBAm project organized a regular 10-day sampling programme at 11 gauging stations on the major tributaries of the Amazon River, for measuring surface suspended sediment concentrations. The relationships between surface concentration and the mean suspended sediment concentration in the gauging section cross section derived from HyBAm field measurements were used to estimate the mean sediment concentration in the cross-section. Combination of these data with the discharge record made it possible to calculate the sediment loads and the specific sediment yields for these stations. The specific sediment yields ranged from 10 to 560 t km-2 year-1 and evidence significant spatial contrasts between the upstream areas, draining mountainous areas (white water), and the downstream Amazonian flood plain areas (black and clear water). Upstream-downstream suspended sediment budgets for the major tributaries (six stations) were used to identify zones of sediment transfer, erosion and deposition. Important sediment deposition zones were identified along the Amazon River. Thus, about 20% of the suspended sediment yield from the Negro/Solimöes/Madeira rivers was deposited upstream of Obidos, the lowest operational gauging station on the Amazon River. The temporal variability of these processes at the monthly time scale is also investigated.